Sometimes even living in a nation with arguably one of the best cuisines on the planet, I still crave something other than delicous tacos and some of the freshest sea food on the planet. After all, variety is the spice of life.

Table with a view

On Puerto Vallarta's malecón (boardwalk) lies one of the my favorite Italian restaurants in the world, La Dolce Vita.  Yes, I could eat Mexican food on a daily basis if I had to. However, we all have a place that we call home. As pizza and pasta aficionado

Hundreds of curry lovers, food experts and restaurant owners from across the world gathered in London for a gala ceremony to recognise the talents of chefs, the unsung heroes of the kitchen. The awards are the brainchild of Syed Nahas Pasha and his brother, Syed Belal Ahmed, who run Curry Life magazine regarded as the authoritative voice of an estimated 10,000 Indian and Bangladeshi restaurants, take-away and associated businesses in Britain.  Nahas Pasha explained what makes the Curry Life awa

Is there a better time to visit Italy than in the fall? The summer madness has died down, yet Italy remains warm and inviting. In the town of Alba, in the Piedmont region, in the northwestern corner of Italy, is a food-festival lover's delight. The region is much less touristed than its Tuscan neighbor.

From October 6 to November 18 in the town of Alba, each weekend it's all about truffles. Yes, truffles, the key ingredient of many a gourmet meal.  Food lovers from all over the world travel to Pi

Here is an absolutely delicious recipe from Chef Bryan Dame of The Edge Restaurant at the The Inn at Ocean's Edge in Maine. While it is incredibly delicious it is also easy to make and can be served in your own home!

Lobster Fried Rice
Chef Bryan Dame
The Edge

3 eggs, scrambled
12 oz cooked lobster, chopped & tossed to coat with corn starch
6 cups cooked rice (cold)
½ cup thinly sliced celery, bit size pieces
½ cup thinly sliced leek, bit sized pieces
2 tablespoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons

There are many reasons to travel. Some of us travel to take a much needed break, others simply to take a holiday, maybe one is on a business trip. But one thing for sure. While on your journey, you will need to eat.  Cuisine is an integral part of any local culture. Not liking the locals eats can be a valid reason not to travel to a destination.  As culinary travel is one of the fastest growing segments in the travel industry, here are some of my favorite foodie towns to enjoy one of my favorite

I found that getting fully acquainted with Zermatt goes beyond taking your picture in front of the Matterhorn and doing some skiing or hiking. It’s about immersing yourself in local mountain heritage at the Matterhorn Museum and taking a stroll through the narrow streets of historic Old Zermatt. Getting to know some residents and dining at some of their favorite restaurants also helps you realize that rough mountain living dependent on sheep herding, local vegetable crops, and herbs has shaped

When in Chengdu, China try a local specialty called hot pot.  There are many varieties of hot pot.  Generally, it comes with a pot of broth that is shared by everyone at the table and in Chengdu the broth can be spicy hot.  Diners then order skewers of fish, chicken, meat and/or vegetable which they cook in the broth.  In some Chengdu restaurants the table is designed especially for hot pot with a recessed square hot plate in the middle of the table.  The wait staff turns on the heat and deliver

There is still time to hop a flight to Hong Kong where celebrating Chinese New Year is special with fireworks and a great parade.  The Chinese New Year celebration starts on Jan. 23 goes to February 5.  According to the Chinese Lunar Calendar it will be the Year of the Dragon 4710.  The flight to Hong Kong from New York State is long – very long so book a stay at the SkyCity Marriott located on Lantau Island next to Hong Kong International Airport.  The luxury hotel is the perfect place to recu

The SkyCity Marriott located at Hong Kong International Airport is on Lantau Island, dubbed the “lungs of Hong Kong” because of its sparse population and forest areas. The culinary team at the Marriott has prepared a variety of delectable delights in honor of the Chinese Lunar New Year 2012 – the Year of the Dragon.

The chefs at the Marriott had donned their creative hats and designed culinary art pieces with dual flavors. They created a finely chiseled Coconut Pudding Chinese Dragon on a Glutin

One has to look no further than Vinny D’Agostino’s homemade limoncello served at the King and Prince Resort's tavern to get a sense of how deep the passion runs here for locally sourced ingredients being incorporated into craft-made cuisine and beverages. Vinny, the resort’s new Food and Beverage Director, is just getting started here having been on staff less than year. But his previous 23 years in the restaurant business reads like a top who’s who industry profile. Crisscrossing the country wi

Traveling to a new destination is about learning more about the culture, by getting to know the locals. And you will mix best with them, by trying to eat what they eat. Unusual and different, trying these local drinks and dishes border with ‘extreme dining’ to many of us. Sure, we all get excited by trying something new and little bizarre, but read on and you tell us where you draw a line.

#1. Birds Nest Soup in China

A nest of twigs and leaves wouldn’t be edible, but the Swift’s nests, made of sa

Mi itinerario de “Imperios del Mediterráneo” a bordo del Nieuw Amsterdam, fue uno de destinos de ensueño.  Además de llevarme desde Venecia a Estambul, Kusadasi, Santorini, Mykonos, Katakolon y Atenas, me deparaba otra sorpresa, una joya casi secreta que descubrí pocos días antes de abordar: El chef Richard Chamberlain era el invitado especial para compartir recetas en el Culinary Arts Center. El ha viajado varias veces con Holland America empresa de la que dijo tiene el mejor programa de cocina

If you’re a true fan of the complexities of Mexican cuisine (as in, beyond Taco Bell and “pass the Old El Paso”) I’m sure you’ve come across one of this country’s most sophisticated contributions to world cuisine, as well as its quintessential “special occasion” dish. There are a number of Mexican sauces referred to as moles (pronounced “MO-layss”), but the best known is mole poblano, a thick, rich, brown concoction that for my money is as tasty and complex as any fancy confection from the kitc

Normandy spreads over the northwestern corner of France, a region blessed with a stunning natural beauty, one that once inspired the impressionists. With its lush green pastures and orchards, Normandy remains a largely untouched paradise. With a wealth of unique attractions, it is a holiday destination that will entice you back time after time. The beauty of Normandy has inspired world famous artists, such as  Pissarro, Boudin, Sisley and Monet, returning from all over the world to the region, t

Traveling as a vegetarian or vegan is never easy, but it isn’t as hard as many people think. It takes a little effort, but if you’re open to tasting new and interesting food and up for a challenge, you’ll be amazed at the variety of exciting things you’ll get to try when traveling. The 10 countries below are known for their various cuisine and always helpful locals.

#1. China

Thanks to the historical influence of Buddhism, China has a 2000 year tradition of pure vegetarian food. There are vegetari

On Boulevard Saint-Germain-des-Prés, sitting a short block away from each other, are rival cafés Café de Flore and Café Les Deux Magots.  They became rivals in the 1920’s and 30’s, when the intellectuals, writers, and artists of the period became loyal to one or the other.  On my recent trip to Paris, I decided to choose my own personal favorite.

Parisian cafés are more than a place to have a quick coffee in the morning.  They are a gathering place for friends, a meeting place for colleagues, an

by Asli Pelit

Along with the dramatic blue waters of Turkey‘s Bosphorus, the opulent dome and minarets of Topkapi Palace and the Hagia Sophia, travelers to Istanbulalways come away wowed by its incredible cuisine. And I confess, as a seventh-generation local, I dream about the sight of a well prepared Turkish table when I’m away from home.

Atop seven hills where two continents meet, encircled by the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, the perfect setup of the ancient city once known as Constantinop

The definition of barbeque has nearly as many meanings as sauces. First, you can attend an event or outdoor party, which, in Texas is usually held on a ranch. The act of barbecuing is the process of preparing food with smoke, low temperatures and long periods of time. Don't be confused by the backyard griller who claims to barbeque, but simply heats food outdoors, often over a gas source. And, don't try to find the best recipe as everyone claims their method holds prize winning secrets.

I recent

If you are planning a much needed fun-in-the-sun getaway this winter, you’re in for a treat! Solmar Hotels & Resorts is celebrating its newest luxury property’s grand opening in Los Cabos Mexico at Land’s End. In case you need a geography refresher, Land’s End is on the tip of the Baja Peninsula which juts right into the Sea of Cortes and Pacific Ocean just offshore Los Cabos, a thriving and well developed port of call for cruise ships and yacht excursions from around the world.

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